Motorweek; 2907

Laurie feels the pain of the race inspired to tell you. Dream the frisky 430 students. Will see just how the scooter real measures up next done Mother with. That cost controlling air movement this time on bosses I know a lot about any. West Town New Jersey. This. Week a story about a poor. Unfortunate accident and the passion to follow every lead. Then we test the style a circuit Kasautii sports sedan. So come drive with us next. Week. TV's original automotive magazine lucky to buy cars. Let's say you're looking for a car you can help research. OK even contact a dealer. Your host for Motor Week John Davis.

Well and welcome again to motor week. We're glad to have you with us. Car enthusiastic or not everyone knows that a Ferrari is about three things exclusivity. Exotic Italian styling. Try having a really fast. Now our latest prancing horse is this 430 scooter Rhea and it is indeed rare and certainly gorgeous. But the real eye popper is its performance. This Ferrari isn't just fast it's race ready. And if you blink you just might miss it. Newt Gingrich. With. The Ferrari 430 scooter Ria has been turning heads ever since its world debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Designed to show off Ferrari F1 Racing Technology and heavily based on the mid engine Ferrari. We tested four years back the scooter has over 200 pounds a liner and I hit more powerful. Lighter due to extensive use of

carbon fiber and more powerful due to under the hood an exhaust system tweaks. Bias more towards race car than street car. It competes with the likes of the Lamborghini JR Joe Superman. And the foreshore Morris line up. Good arena is the traditional name of the Ferrari racing department and literally means stable of horses of which there are five hundred three of them. That's a bump of twenty over the F-4 30s 4.3 liter all aluminum dry some with three hundred forty seven pound feet of torque. It unleashes an exhaust ground that will stay with you long after you've parked the car in terms of the space time continuum. The 430 Skoda Rhea gets from zero to 60 in 3.5 seconds with the factory top speed of one hundred ninety eight miles per hour and the lap time to Ferrari's Virago Test Track matched those of the iconic Enzo. Chips from the sharpened F-1 superfast to single clutch automated manual gearbox are still handled by steering column mounted carbon fiber paddles

but gear changes are now lightning quick a mere 60 milliseconds and over twice as fast as the 430. The scooter re also sports Edith two a one two punch combining the F-4 30s electronic limited slip differential with a Formula 1 right in trying to control system fail out 40 percent greater acceleration coming out of corners. Than the typical stability traction control unit controlling the dynamics equation is a racing version of humanity no more little manager. A rotary selector with 5 drive adjustments for suspension shift points and traction and stability control. New is a traction control off mode replacing ice even in moderate sport mode the scooter really exhibits competition style handling through sharp corners and twisty road. And its 19 inch wheels and tires are glued to the pavement and firing exhilaration and confidence in equal measure. Like all recent Ferrari's the car outclasses most drivers with a fairly rigid ride telegraphing every

nuance to bring its heaps of momentum to a halt. The scooter Maria is armed with carbon ceramic brakes front disc are 18 millimeters larger than those found on the F 430 and 6 piston calipers help clamp down on high performance antics. With its aggressive shark nose front and high set rear fender scoops and dual exhaust the scooter area is wicked exterior styling is almost identical to that of the super aerodynamic f 430 minor revisions include a larger front air intake and door panels that have been switched to carbon fiber. Now fact the massive rear defuser has been reshaped to enhance airflow. But to see the interior is all about scaling down weight. It's more like a racecar shell than a luxury cabin sound deadening material has been eliminated and the carpet has been ripped down to expose the aluminum for the racing seats are carbon fiber too and available in three sizes. The scooter area doesn't even

come with a radio. You have to order one as an option and there are no side air bags here either. But to claim this track weapon cockpit as your own prepared to pay a hefty price. The 2009. Rory or 30s good era started two hundred eighty seven thousand nine hundred sixty eight dollars which includes a $3000 gas guzzler tax that's about 100 grand more than an F or 30. But this Ferrari is much more than just an exotic Italian Sportster. It's an extreme at first that completely blurs the lines between street and racetrack. For those with a genuine passion for driving and of course a very large bankroll there is none finer than the 430 you go to Rio. Our success story of the week highlights the New York City Department of Sanitation. The nation's largest municipal refuse fleet is making great strides in using clean alternative fuels among their dazzling array of vehicles. Is this hybrid

hydraulic garbage truck the only one in the country and its weight class. The agency is also testing hybrid electric and natural gas powered refuse trucks. NYC has 2000 other diesel refuse trucks run on renewable B5 bio diesel as do 450 of their street sweepers. Another 25 are fueled by compressed natural gas. And they all fuel list continues with hundreds of light duty gasoline electric hybrids used by field supervisors along with six all electric gems that move around the repair shop. Collecting 22 million pounds of garbage daily using vehicles that are less dependent on petroleum is how NYC has Department of Sanitation is keeping it clean and green and the Big Apple. Time now for Goss's garage this week Pat finds a whole new

floater Karkare. TIME You know one of the more important. Aspects of designing an automobile these days is the aerodynamics. You see aerodynamics of the way the air moves over the vehicle controls all sorts of things. First it gives the engineers and the designers the ability to make the car look good. But further than that. It affects handling of the automobile. It affects engine cooling. Fuel economy all sorts of things. I can. Trolled by how effectively the car moves through the air. You know a lot of things that can go wrong as a result of up setting the way air flows around the car. This doesn't look like much comes out of the front bumper of this super Alpha and you know who knows exactly what it would do at speed it could seriously upset the way the air moves

around the front of the car and that could cause some serious handling problems. All right but more typical is what we see here. Right here we have a slower valance that has been pulled loose. This often happens in parking lots. You pull over one of those concrete stops and then when you back off well the balance or the front spoiler it hooks on it and it pulls it loose. Lots of times it tears it right off of the car and some of them are up under where you don't notice them and the result is well if you don't fix it you may have overheating problems or your air conditioner might not work properly or lots of other possibilities. Now that also holds true of these a lot of people refer to these as belly payments. They're the plastic or sometimes metal pans that are underneath the engine of the car. Some of them are pretty large you know eight or 10 times the size of this one. But the fact is that these are there to direct airflow underneath the car.

Now if you change oil you have to take this off on a lot of cars and some people well they say it's not that important and they throw it away. They think of it as a nuisance. Well don't do that because it does serve a function. All right but here's the one that really gets people into trouble. This is a battery box or a battery cover goes around the battery and it does a couple of things it insulates the battery against excessive heat. But more importantly it channels air around the battery in such a manner that the air from the battery doesn't get on to electrical items around the battery. This is a fuse and relay panel and on the underside of it we can see that there's a lot of corrosion. That's because somebody took the battery cover off. They threw it away and the fumes which have a lot of acid in them. The fumes from the battery now attack the electrical connectors.

Major repairs so never throw any of these things away. If you want your car to work properly for the long haul and if you have a question or comment write to me. The address is Motor Week Owings Mills Maryland. 2 1 1. 1 7. 0 0 Luger it said that if you're truly lucky your work will be your passion. And while far too many of us can't claim that to be true it's inspiring to know that those people do exist in fact our f y I-Reporter Yolanda vastus has found a man who is passionate about his work in every sense of the word. So she headed the pit road to see firsthand why his story is so inspiring. With my two loves always book. And the age of 43 James Blake is living the dream. Yes we're. The Cure.

He's the owner and pit crew chief of the professional drag racing team. With major wins in the NHL raise top alcohol funny car. Thanks. We finished as high as eighth in the world. We have won some of the biggest races in the country a remarkable feat considering the man who oversees this team and most of the car's mechanical work is completely blind. May 22nd 1997 5:30 in the afternoon. I had a forklift wheel entire assembly explode in my face. Blake was flown to a local hospital where doctors worked for hours to rebuild his face and save his life. After my accident my whole world had changed. I had no idea what I was going to do with the rest of my life. The loss of his sight cost Blake a successful career as an auto tech but it gave him a new vision for the future.

I had absolutely nothing to lose. I had plenty of time on my hands and I was just going to go for it. I was going to follow my dream against all odds he started his own race team. Blake had to learn how to fundraise solicit sponsors build a team. He also wanted to work on the car. Can you tell. If these are all new plugs or if they're going to run. As crew chief does everything from changing out spark plugs to leaking the motor. Love when he says he uses his hands to see through touch. I build a picture in my mind of what I'm working on. He also uses this device called Brylin speak these six dots right here make up a Braille cell to write down and retrieve contact information. Morley television but are we television in. Yemen. Your home number. Yeah but I want to play that if. Blake moves around the pit area without a walking stick he may stumble at times

but like life he knows how to get around things. I'm with so much going on with a lot of times I forget he's boring longtime friend Charlie Mitchell says Blake motivates the crew to do their very best to everybody as a team helps out. But you know the glue that keeps it all together and he accomplishes stuff that a lot of people like and she don't seem to be able accomplish. Tommy Howell the man responsible for tuning the car says Blake can do anything he puts his mind to. He had a realization that he could do this and he went out and did it. And and I think the judge wants other people to know that they can do it too when he's not in the pit. Blake traveled the country as a motivational speaker. His life story profiled on network news. Call it blind ambition. Markable race driver Blake uses the opportunity to encourage others to pursue their passions. And what do you tell them. What I try and tell people is they don't have to get hit in the head as hard as I did wake up and go for a simple message backed by the indomitable spirit of a man who knows what it

takes to follow a dream. We all have stuff in life but we have to be alone. And if you deal with it with a positive attitude it won't stop you. Leave it to BMW to invent another benchmark. Our 2009 BMW x 6 x drive 35 II sports activity coupe was the first of what is quickly becoming a clone of swoopy crossover utility vehicles. But rivals have a very high level of performance and luxury to top the xxix is standard three liter 300 horsepower turbo 6 turns our power needs well. But with that comes to fuel economy of a thirsty fifteen point nine MPG the premium. We do wish BMW could find performance tires that were as tireless as their vehicle after eleven months and twenty one thousand miles direct six is already in need of new rubber. But that's the price you pay for

a versatile color that handles like a slot car the BMW XXIX is a trendsetter for sure. Blazing a trail that few other utilities can follow. Last winter we picked the Hyundai Genesis sedan is our 2009 Motor Week driver's choice best what three car and now eight months into our long term test. We have no regrets. Indeed the Genesis has exceeded our expectations in quality fitment with the warm water coming years of materials in space as well as a refined driving response with the smooth well controlled highway ride and ample handling prowess of our car standard 290 horsepower 3.8 leader V-6 delivers good reserve power for passing Wallaby 8 is available. We're happy without it. Especially since at the sixteen thousand mile mark fuel economy is a stable twenty two point one miles per gallon of regular. Not bad for any premium family sedan troublefree are only design complaints are the old fashioned

trunk kynges that take up luggage space. Otherwise the Hyundai Genesis continues to earn our applause. Will check the applause meter at our new species Yuki later on this trendy here so that our next button with long term. Gain. Now we turn to our voter news desk and Jessica check for the latest. If there was ever any doubt about the value of crash testing programs the latest test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety confirms just how much vehicle crashworthiness has improved demonstrating this finding was an old versus new test crashing a 1959 Chevrolet bel air into a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. IHS and their sponsors are celebrating 50 years of crash test research and their contributions to highway safety progress. Founded in 1959 it only seemed fitting to test a vehicle from that same year against a 2009 model to assess the advancements in vehicle safety over the five

decades span. Final question ratings are based on a barrier test which mimics what happens in a clash between two similar vehicles. The results of a 40 mph frontal offset crash test not only prove the evolution of safety standards. Technically but provided an undeniable visual impact of the differing effects on each vehicle. In this particular crash test the 2009 Malibu's advanced you know body chassis absorbed in channel much of the crash energy away from the occupant keeping the passenger compartment intact. On the other hand the antique body on frame design of the 1959 Bel Air allowed the area around the driver to collapse on impact. While both cars were totally wrecked. There is no doubt that in a similar real world crash. Occupants of the contemporary Chevrolet Malibu. Would fare much better than those in the Vintage Bellaire. So while the current trend to bring back classic designs is a great way to celebrate not immobile heritage crash test by the IHS and the federal government

are making sure that retro style is backed by 21st century safety. And that's it for this week's Motor News. While their motorcycle division continues to thrive Suzuki's U.S. automotive fortunes are on the skids. The economy few new models and dealer closings have all put a big crimp in sales. But now comes the good news. After teasing us with a trio of stylish concepts called Kasautii which means something great is coming. The Kasautii sedan is now headed for showrooms. So let's see if it's great and now if there's spark a Suzuki turn around. With. The 2010 Suzuki Kasautii sports sedan certainly looks great using numerous design elements from all three of its conceptual namesake. The

big mean looking hatchback shown in Frankfurt in 2007 the swoopy SUV shown a month later at the Tokyo voters show and the menacing Quicksilver sedan revealed in New York last year. With. The fourth door that soon arrives in dealerships is more than handsome enough to proudly wear the angular Suzuki s badge front and center while sporting a well praised glowing front facia Bolo well-drawn headlights. The split level grill and twin lower intakes reminds us a lot of the current VW Jetta and there's nothing wrong with that. The car's greenhouse however is run of the mill but an athletic stance flared fenders and our car's stylish 18 inch alloy wheels provide the Kasautii profile a premium impression around back wrap around tail lights tastefully echo the headlights and frame a tall trunk lid that doubles as a mild spoiler. These great looking chrome outlets look like exhaust but they're just for show Kasautii rides on a one hundred six

point three inch wheel base and is one hundred eighty three point one inches long overall. That's larger than the typical compact but smaller than mid size and it happens to fit right between two world class sports sedans. The BMW 3 Series and an Audi A4. Because she's concise dimensions made sense when we popped the hood. Power comes from a heavily revised version of the 2.4 liter all aluminum four cylinder that drives the base brand but Tara output is 185 horsepower and 170 pound feet of torque. A six speed manual is standard on the front wheel drive Kasautii. Our car was fitted with the optional CVT automatic paddle shifters are along just for fun. Suzuki is no stranger to all wheel drive and an all new system is available on the cars not cheap but only with the CVT still are loaded three thousand three hundred twenty nine pound front wheel drive model was a lot of Kasautii for a 4 banger to haul around.

This is early pre-production car has zero to 60 capability of an eight point three seconds that's better than the typical family sedan but not quite up to pure sports sedan pays. Again in handling that Kasautii isn't in between or with the standard stability and traction control active and pushed to about 80 percent of its limit Kasautii does deliver like a sports sedan very grippy and responsive but past that point it transforms the midi Dunlops continue to cling to the pavement with understeer and body roll quickly scare you off. That makes Kasautii of a very safe car but not as much fun as we'd hoped. Braking was somewhat better we averaged a fine one hundred twenty nine feet from 60 with a squishy pedal. There was more faith than expected but stability was excellent. But any shortcomings at the track were quickly forgotten and every day driving the Kasautii is capable and comfortable with applying.

Right up very user friendly CBT and plenty of highway cruising low noise comfort thanks to a very rigid unibody frame because somehow she's airing an upscale interior is headlined by a sculpted soft touch that she as well as contemporary gauges in control sharply drawn lines are intended to mimic the perception of a samurai's plate inversely the seats are covered in soft comfy leather. Overall fit in finish as well as materials are of premium grade controls for features such as Bluetooth and a Rockford stereo prodded the smallish handsome steering wheel leaving the center console relatively uncluttered push button ignition and dual zone climate control are standard class leading total of eight airbags protects the cozy cabin like the typical German sports sedan the back seat is somewhat confined. However leg room is adequate for six footers and under Plus the 60:40 folding seat backs nicely extend the

versatility of its already ample trunk for our front drive CVT task our government fuel economy ratings are estimated at a healthy 23 city 30 highway. We got a spot on twenty six point five an every day driving on regular gas. That's better than we managed with BMW 1 series classic is a hybrid is also planned for even better fuel economy. While prices are not final we expect to face sticker of around $20000 when it goes on sale this winter. Add in a 100000 mile power train warranty and because asI could be the premium car bargain of the year as their first all wheel drive capable sports sedan the 2010 Suzuki Kasautii comes off as a fresh and very confident attempt. It's enticing to look at and a nicely sporting daily driver. While I may not fully live up to being something great it is a very promising bargain priced sports sedan entry and if the Kasautii is any indication of the future of

Suzuki we think their automotive fortunes are in for a very positive turn. Hope you'll join us here next week for motorway. Most dynamic crossover yet. From the big lug U-17. I'm John Davis. To learn more about Motor Week TV's original automotive magazine visit PBS dot org. To order a DVD of this program Call 1 888 in-tree 6 1 5 4. Motor Week has been brought to you by cars. Let's say you're looking for a car. Help research. OK even contact a dealer. This program was produced by public television which is responsible for its

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