Motorweek; 2602

He's. Got the need for speed horses got the cure all for the ride to the 911 Turbo. Take a blacktop stress test in the 911 Turbo next. Week. Hi I'm Pat Goss. Tire pressure monitoring systems this time glosses and Rico pads this week out over the edge a larger than life big old bag gets the job done and will find our way into urban jungle with Jeeps now. So come drive with us. Will. You tell it. Brought to you by the Stanley Works makers of Mac's life 3 6 9 tripod elimination tools Stanley is proud to support public television channel 8. Make something great information available at w w w dot Stanley Works dot com ad by Dunlop tires to search for true performance as part of our heritage.

Dunlop is proud to present the Dunlop drivers Cup where amateurs from around the world compete head to head in the on and off road competitions. Information at Dunlop tires dot com and buy cars dot com. Let's say you're looking for a car. Cars dot com can help research locate even contacted us cars dot com. Find the right car for you. Your host for Motor Week John Davis. Well hello and welcome again to motorway. We're glad to have you with us. Kaunas among the many automotive enthusiasts that believe that Porsche is the ultimate sports car brand. So being surrounded by this sea of current classic Porsches is for me automotive nerve Ana. But the great thing about Porsche is that they never stop trying to top themselves. So even with this great collection this latest edition of the Porsche 911 Turbo has us drooling and driving.

Say the word turbo to any Porsche phile and they instantly know you're talking about the 9 11 Turbo and for 2007 the ultimate for sure Road Warrior gets even more turbo boost thanks to the addition of twin variable Vane turbo chargers for the three point six liter flat six dry sump engine. It's flexible geometry jumps peak power 14 percent to a thrilling four hundred eighty horsepower maximum torque also jumps high to 460 pound feet which is available as low as 950 RPM. The optional sport pro package allows for more aggressive engine mapping and Turbo over boost that raises peak torque to a pavement dwarfing 500 5 lb feet. Putting all that power securely to the road is Porsches traction management which couple's stability control with a more flexible all wheel drive system. It features an electronically controlled multi disc clutch that

continuously balances power rear to front allowing up to 100 percent at either end. The driver controls that power through of six speed manual gearbox. If I speed tiptronic Yes automatic with sequential manual mode shift is optional and actually is the faster choice. Still we prefer the manual and its available limited slip rear differential. It allowed us to slam the 9 9 7 to 60 in a rapid 3.9 seconds three tenths faster than the previous car. The quarter mile hammers by an twelve point two seconds at one hundred twenty miles per hour. It's super strong off the line but power really hits a ball 30 600 rpm and then it's work at like thrust of the 60 600 rpm redline. But it's also incredibly smooth. It is the best combination of power refinement and flexibility in the super car engine right. But this lighter aluminum intensive 911 Turbo is about much more than just

stunning acceleration. The front McPhearson rear multi link suspension utilizes Porsches active suspension management system that instantly tailors shock damping to road conditions. We put all this hardware an electronic age to work on West Virginia Summit Point Raceway where it displayed not just astounding grip but superb handling response early turbo suffered from abrupt oversteer while more recent all wheel drive versions had more than a hint of understeer compared to them this 9 9 7 is very subtle pushing the front end just a bit which quickly scrubs up excess mid corner speed to maintain its excellent balance. It gets you through a quarter and on to the next one quickly and confidently making every road or track seem smaller and shorter. That expertise extends to braking as well. Our car is optional 80 $500 ceramic composite brakes. Hold it down from 16 a seat belt stretching 109 feet that short.

Despite this tremendous track ability the 911 Turbo remains an exceptionally refined road car and while hardly green it's also better at the gas pump than many less exciting rides. Government fuel economy ratings are 18 city 25 highway for our manual. We average 18 miles per premium gallon. The 911 Turbo delivers that incredible driving experience while also offering an environment as superbly equipped as many high end sedans fine leather stretches from doors to dash to seats which in our car are the optional Adaptive Sports seats that hold you tight while delivering top notch comfort and support. The exterior is also looking pretty advanced with a new front facia larger air intakes by a xenon headlights and turn signals all heading up wider bodywork from the career of four tall 19 inch forged alloy wheels with tire pressure monitoring where 35 series fraud and white are 3 0 5 30s in the rear and there is a

redesigned rear wing that automatically deploys at 75 mph. It's a stunning automotive creation that carries a stunning price base with a six generation 911 Turbo is one hundred twenty two thousand nine hundred dollars and our car's long list of options from sport pro to ceramic brakes and the price is a heart stopping one hundred forty one thousand seven hundred fifteen dollars. It's a classic case of you get what you pay for and what you get is a thrill ride that puts roller coasters to shame. The 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo is a metal rubber and leather soaked in pure adrenaline let us down in an effort that truly lives up to the turbo legend and one day we can't wait for shit to top. Coming up. Henry and the big brains. Motor Week stop tag Pat Goss knows cars like few others. So that's why he's our go to guy for everything in car care.

John there's a significant safety system is becoming much more popular on cars. And here to explain it to us is Howard Laster from Siemens vidio Howard welcome to Goss's garage. Thanks Pat. Now we're talking about tire pressure monitoring systems and we've got some parts here. Tell us briefly how this system works. Tire pressure monitoring systems were designed and developed to monitor the pressure inside the tire on every passenger car and light truck. And it triggers if the tire pressure goes below a preset standard a warning like to come on in the car to tell the driver that their tire is low. OK no. I have some parts here. This is actually inside the timer What does it do. This box contains the electronics that actually sends a signal and measures the pressure inside the tire on a constant basis.

This box is attached to the valve stem and if we seal in the example tire we have here the typical valve stem that will come out from inside the tire and inside the wheel to the outside the box is on the inside mounted. This triggers a signal if we go to that preset standard below the standard spec for tire pressure on this car it sends that signal right into the computer in the car which triggers the warning light to come on and alerts the driver that he has a low pressure tire pressure. Well I know. Safety is certainly one issue here. How does this affect safety first and foremost. Safety is definitely the main reason behind this whole system. With all of the accidents that can happen from tire pressure of many different types this system monitors that so that you know ahead of time your tire is low and if you inflate it back to where it should be at the set standard. OK. Tire pressure has an effect on tire wear sort of presume

we get a benefit there. Absolutely. Tire wear is a great benefit from this as we know that for every pound of pressure we lose there is a loss of life to your tires and today's tires I don't know about you Pat but the cost of these tires I don't want to replace them way ahead of when I should absolutely. And then of course tire pressure plays a big part in fuel economy. Absolutely again with the same idea when for every progressive pound of pressure we lose we lose a lot. We'll call it that a significant amount of fuel efficiency. And what the cost of fuel today has it's rising. I don't want to lose that myself I don't think you do either. And these are becoming popular. Why is that happening all of a sudden. There's been a federal mandate. That says by the year September 2007 for every two thousand eight model passenger car a light truck produced every one of them must have a type of tire pressure

monitoring system on them. Howard thank you. And if you have a question or comment write to me the address is Motor Week Owings Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. New keys mean new wheels. So let's see what first impressions these crying. Land Rover is preparing to launch an all new compact utility vehicle the 2007 LR to replacing the long in the tooth Freelander the LR 2 is far more sophisticated. It will do battle in the emerging compact luxury utility segment against the BMW X3 and the Acura RDX built around a high strength mana cock chassis. The LR 2 rides on a longer one hundred five point seven inch wheel base and all independent suspension with standard electronic roll stability control. The LR to boast a wide range of cutting edge traction aids that includes an all new full time all wheel drive system with the advanced terrain response system.

On the larger LR 3 power comes from an all new inline three point two leader six cylinder and six speed automatic transmission with command ship sequential manual shift mo Landrover claims that this combination will drive the LR 2 to 60 in under 8 and a half seconds for about two seconds faster than the Freelander. The LR to his room the jury is then the almost bare bones Freelander as well available features include full leather trim DVD navigation and surround sound audio healing to is no longer just an entry level landing. It's upscale and refined just like its big brother who's. Pricing is not yet available for the Land Rover LR too but expect the first one to hit showrooms next spring for around twenty seven thousand dollars. Looking for a slightly more affordable all purpose vehicle then have a look at Hyundai's 2007 Santa Fe crossover utility the American built Santa Fe has grown to mid size and is more refined with the stronger unit tie structure than the

one it replaces. It packs more punch as well thanks to upgrades to its standard V-6 engine. The 2.7 liter engine in the GLSEN se adds a variable valve timing for 185 horsepower. The top line Ltd gets the larger three point three liter unit with a stout two hundred forty two horsepower transmission's include the standard fi speed manual or an optional four speed automatic with a 2.7 or standard 5 speed automatic with a three point three engine all front drive and full time all wheel drive models include standard abs electronic stability control and traction control. Inside the stylish and frankly quite Toyota like sheetmetal is a nicely expanded cabin with first time available third row seating. The high value list of standards is long and includes air conditioning CD audio and six air bag and all for prices that start around $21000 and top out at about twenty eight thousand dollars. The new Santa

Fe looks like another high value reliable contender problem Hyundai. Acura has been making plenty of market rattling utility news on its own lately. First it was the compact RDX and now it's a new generation of their midsize MDX all new all around the 2007 Acura MDX is impressive. Loaded with trademark Acura style technology and performance indeed Acura has pulled out the stops to make the new MDX appeal to both women who need excellent comfort usefulness and safety and men who desire a performance image in their premium utility. Under the hood lurks Acar is most powerful engine a 3.7 leader V-6 the pumps out a serious 300 horsepower yet still returns government fuel economy ratings of 17 city and 22 highway. Power is distributed by high speed sequential sports shift automatic and accurate is knowable super handling all wheel drive to ensure persuasion handling balance for the

new MDX. It's a combination of all dis ABS brakes and all independent suspension with. Actual active damper was tuned on the roller coaster nürburgring racing circuit inside the seven passenger MDX Acura opted for a premium cockpit look that's far more a sports car than a sport utility. But still offers important family features like the latest energy absorbing body structure side curtain airbags with rollover sensor and flat folding third row seats and tricky electronics that can include navigation with voice recognition. A wireless telephone interface and so were syncing GP s to link automatic climate control. It's a sophisticated fine handling SUV which will carry a getting up their base price of about thirty eight thousand dollars. When you hit showrooms later this fall. And will hit the road with more new car keys in just a few weeks. Every year we pass dozens of new trucks and sport utilities here at Motor Week and

they range from handy little compact to heavy duty full size work trucks. But our Henrico past has developed a taste for the big rigs those diesel monsters that can really haul the freight. And this week he's found one that's not moving a container or even a load of lumber. It moves mountains. What do you get when you combine a huge diesel engine with a chassis that alone weighs just under a hundred sixty five thousand pounds. I'd be a vehicle that can get a ton of work actually. One hundred and fifty tons of work done. In that vehicle is a larger than life almost too big for TV Caterpillar 785 seat off highway truck in order to experience all that this big cat has to offer. Caterpillar invited to its tonight high heels demonstration center just outside of Tucson Arizona for a once in a lifetime test drug used in the aggregate hauling business.

Think rocks big rocks the 785 sea can be found moving massive loads of coal drop copper or gold around money and sites all over the world. Larger than life and considerably larger than any other passenger. Vehicle out there this truck of trucks is ready to move just about anything anywhere at any time you'd like. That nearly 17 feet tall the 75 C isn't the best vehicle for a fast food drive through lanes. That's OK though. Leave that word to the Julies and hunters out there because the last place you'll see this truck is on public roads. The 75 C was designed for worksite use only but just like your daily driver from the operator seat piloting the 75 seat couldn't be more current. It feels like driving a pickup after you get used to it because it's so comfortable yet so quiet. It has a stereo system but you can have an optional satellite radio systems installed in the cab. It's got to need windows power windows. You have very good visibility and it's very quiet. It's good has all the features and comforts of your family car or your family pickup.

Not to mention traction control readouts that let the operator know when they've taken on a full load and a total vehicle diagnostic system to keep operator and service technicians abreast of the machine's condition. When a work shift in a 75 seat can be 12 dusty rock down eight hours long the only thing keeping operator safe and comfortable is the one that are operating and that all starts to make much more sense than it does on paper. Able to carry 150 tons of material. This truck can get a lot of work done in a small amount of time and with a gargantuan loaded way. Two hundred and seventy seven tons to 785 see needs a larger than life engine to get it rolling. That power plant is the caterpillar 35 12 feet. Sure heavy duty V8 and long stroke Mills can get some work done but this engine can get it all done for as long as your heart should so desire. With 12 cylinders twin turbo chargers and an after cooling system. This plump diesel displaces a huge Thirty one hundred fifty eight cubic inches for a rock in fourteen hundred fifty horsepower.

Definitely the biggest big block on the block. Understandably design plays a big role in the ability and Dura villainy of this machine and surprisingly it shares more in common with the average automobile than you may think. All of our mining trucks are mechanical drive we have the diesel engine we have torque converter transmission and rear differential all much similar to a standard pickup truck that's out there. So if you think this is the kind of vehicle you need parked in your driveway. Mine site. You just want to one up your neighbor stop by your local Caterpillar dealer and be ready to shell out one point seventy two million dollars depending on customer options. Shipping and setup. This kind of performance doesn't come cheap but neither do the 300 half ton pickups I can replace. So if you got something to move like lets say enough mulch to landscape your entire neighborhood. A caterpillar 785 C has definitely got it covered. As the best known name and off road vehicles Jeep has always been the go anywhere

brand but in a world where off roading increasingly means navigating potholes. Jeep is started to rethink their singular trail rated approach. So enter the 2007 Jeep Compass a compact crossover utility aimed at young urban and lifestyle savvy consumers but can the new compass show Jeep softer side without losing their hard body image. A strong brand is one that has a wide range of offerings in high customer loyalty to ensure both keep a smartly widening its spectra of high traction vehicles further by introducing a more city centric 2007 compas crossover utility. This compact car based SUV attempts to endorse an active and realistic lifestyle without threatening Jeep's reputation for off road prowess genetics proves to be any scape of all as the new compost whereas classic GP Cheers such as round headlights a seven slot grill and loop rails

but make no mistake it's sleek and modern silhouette is new and mimics the Dodge Caliber with which it shares size and most components sitting atop standard 17 inch wheels or optional eight teens. The front door all wheel drive compass is poised for adventure in town and to some extent out in the semi while it has a very reasonable eight point one inches of ground clearance under the hood you'll find the calibers top engine a 2.4 leader Twin Cam 16 Balfour with their evil valve timing standard on the compass output is measured at one hundred seventy two horsepower and one hundred sixty five pound feet of torque. On the track are high speed all wheel drive tester manage 0 to 60 in a leisurely nine point four seconds. Similar to the caliber. The quarter mile was an adequate 17 seconds flat at 84 mph while Capas is not under powered it certainly won't overwhelm you. As expected jeeps first ever front wheel drive vehicle is causing some

uproar among diehards. Although traction control and stability control are standard still Jeep expects many Capa's buyers to opt for the new single speed four wheel drive system known as Freedom drive one. Fully automatic freedom drive one delivers more traditional Jeep functionality and includes a locking center coupling to help handle deeper snow up high speed manual transmission is standard with a smooth continuously variable transaxle and auto stick manual control optional. The compass deliberately offers a more car like ride than any other jeep. But keep in mind though it may not be trail rated. It's still a pretty capable utility and potholes are dispatched with minimal body flex. They all independent suspension features MacPherson struts in the front and multi links in the rear. The overall handling is responsive with a fair amount of Jeep like body roll nicely weighted rack and pinion steering grants quick and agile turn. It's. The stop itself the compass has standard antilock brakes with on and off

road calibrations stop from 60 were nearly free but with a 138 foot average on the long side climb on in and you'll find yourself in a stylish and ultra roomy environment. The functional dash is defined by Clean Lines in a well configured geometry gauges and controls are simple and to the point. Even the basic compass sport comes fairly well equipped with a tilt wheel outside temperature gauge. AM FM CD stereo and ultra floor are removable and washable vinyl floor that's perfect for cleanup after a day of play. And upgrade packages or limited trim for a c premium sound system with a swing down rear party speakers and even a 115 volt power outlet standard occupant safety is delivered by way of four airbags two front end two side curtain. A spacious rear seat provides room for three and an available recline feature. A 60 40 split fold adds the utility level of versatility. Indeed the

true hero of this interior comes in the form of cargo room a respectable twenty two point seven cubic feet of storage nearly doubles of fifty three point six cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. Drop the available flat fold front passenger seat and the space swells to sixty point seven cubic feet. The pragmatic compass serves up government fuel economy of 25 city and 29 highway are manual test cars mileage Lou came in at 26 miles per gallon but pricing may turn out to be the biggest draw for the compass with the front drive sports starting at a super reasonable fifteen thousand nine hundred eighty five dollars. The limit it began to twenty thousand one hundred forty dollars. In both cases four wheel drive add $600 more. We think the Jeep Compass will succeed in venturing into nontraditional terrain without harming the brand solid image. After all it is more and more in the city where younger professionals work and play. So with an already loyal fan base in place the compass points in the right direction.

But I hope you'll join us next week for more motorway. We'll put all of the latest stuff compact cars to our high mileage status. I'm John date with CNN. 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 1 800 873 6 1 5 4. Motorway has been brought to you by the Stanley Works makers of Mac's life 3 6 9 tripod elimination tools Stanley is proud to support public television steadily. Make something great information available at WDW Dot's family work stock up. And buy Dunlop tires to search for true performance as part of our heritage. Dunlop is proud to present the Dunlop drivers Cup where amateurs from all around the world compete head to head in on and off road competitions. Information at Dunlop tires dot com.

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