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This time on Motor Week a second generation Prius an all new Malibu and the top cars from Tokyo. So come drive with us. A little. TV's original. Automotive magazines. The Blind Boys wear car people Motor Week starting. It's my kind of show. It's our kind of show all about cars and trucks. 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 by. What are you looking for a motorist. Your host for Motor Week. John Davis. Well hello and welcome again to motor week. We're glad to have you with us. When Toyota introduced the Prius in 2000 it set a milestone as being the first super efficient gasoline

electric hybrid compact sedan. But the Prius had a problem. It was too small for most American families. Well now for 2004 Toyota has completely redesigned the Prius stretching its body into a midsize suit. But in a country still in love with thirsty full size SUV get more space more power. And over 50 mile per gallon economy kick hybrids into higher sales here. Toyota is confident that it will. The 2004 Toyota Prius is already the most popular green automobile ever sold here with over 10000 orders on the books before it goes on sale this second generation hybrids enviro friendly attitude carries over to its all new styling. No sharp angles fat fenders or big tires here just smooth nonthreatening lines from its pouty lips front bumper and steeply sloped

windshield to its domed roof and long hatchback. The new Prius with a drag coefficient of only point to six is more aerodynamic than most sports cars. That's despite being wider longer and taller than its predecessor thanks to an all new platform with six inches more wheel base. The gasoline electric drive train now called hybrid Synergy Drive is still a full hybrid system that can run on gas electric or both. A new high voltage power converter and 50 kilowatt drive motor capable of providing two hundred ninety five pound feet of torque almost instantly are matched with an Atkinson cycle 1.5 leader four cylinder gas engine. The dual overhead cam four produces 76 horsepower and 82 pound feet of torque on its own with the electric motor engaged combined output is 110 horsepower. The new electric motor and high speed generator allow the Prius to spend more time in electric only mode.

This improves efficiency by 15 percent and reduces emissions by 30 percent. Qualifying Prius as a super ultra low emissions vehicle in California federal mileage estimates are 60 city where electric mode is used most and 50 highway are real world driving test delivered an impressive 53 mpg all power reaches the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission which is controlled by a dash mounted joystick shifter with a button to engage park. More power means that the new Prius will run from 0 to 60 and ten point two seconds that's over two seconds faster than the first Prius and finish the quarter mile and seventeen point seven seconds at seventy nine miles per hour launches are smooth thanks to the CV and electronic throttle but push it hard in the tiny four cylinder engine does show a noisy side. And more sedate driving the Prius system is remarkably quiet with seamless shifts between gas and electric power

regenerative braking which helps recharge the battery is also available through the transmission shifter. It's ABS equipped front disc rear drum brakes stop the Prius from 60 and the longest one hundred forty two feet. When stop the gas engine switches off to save fuel. Prius resumes on electric power only while the gas engine restarts once rolling again handling is more minivan then sports sedan with lots of front plow and body roll steering feel remains minimal but the ride quality is much improved. One clever option we like is the smart entry and start proximity key sensors detect the key and unlock the car as you approach the car can then be started with a touch of the power button on the dash. The airy 5 passenger cabin is Toyota's way of saying Bring the family along. The longer we passenger volume to grow from eighty eight point six cubic feet to ninety six point two for only 5 percent less than the

midsize Camry side and curtain airbags are optional the control layout is inviting and sleek with a clear digital gauges shifted from last year center dash to a more traditional location in front of the driver. The center stack is now dominated by a multifunction touch screen display that monitors power train energy functions mileage as well as climate audio and available navigation system small storage of balance including two glove boxes seating includes a pair of front buckets and a split rear bench that easily folds flat for flexible storage. More than doubling the already large sixteen point one cubic foot trunk with its big Hatch the Prius is impressively versatile. But even with all the added style room and power the base price remains twenty thousand five hundred ten dollars a tag that hasn't budged since Prius was launched here three years ago. One more reason we think the new Prius is a watershed vehicle as the most

fuel efficient midsize car yet the 2004 Toyota Prius is ready to leave gasoline electric hybrid technology into the mainstream family car market and turn all of its more traditional rivals green with envy. Coming up. Hot Toys from Tokyo. Now let's stop by Goss's garage for more of Pat's trick tips and a handy car care advice. John if you want a great finish on some of your automotive parts consider powder coating them. That's what we did with the wheels on this motorcycle and they look great and they're going to continue to look great for a long time to come. That's one of the advantages of powder coating. It lasts a long time now. Up until recently you had to have it done professionally but now through the good folks at Eastwood tools company you can buy your own powder coating kid comes with an application gun. You can actually get a

larger hopper than the standard one so you don't have to refill it if you're doing large pieces. It also has a transformer that electrically charges whatever you're going to apply the powder to. This makes the powder be attracted to the part and it stays in place and actually this is a powder. You have to remember that because what you're going to do with it after the powder has been applied is you're going to put it in an oven and you're going to bake it so that means you need an old. No you can't use your household oven because it will stink for a long time to come. Now it's available in a lot of different colors. You can buy colors for just about anything that you might want to do comes in small containers large containers whatever you need. It's available. But remember that powder coating doesn't cover up your mistakes so you have to follow all of the rules in preparation. Here we did a valve

cover started like this. We blasted it with media to get it to this stage. Then we powder coated it all looks good to you get up close and you see that the pockmarks that were in the original metal they're still there. The powder coating did not cover them up so it's no better than your preparation and it works best on bare metal. Here we put some on a spring that was painted and when the product was the spring went into the oven. Well the heat from the oven cause the old paint to blister. And now we have rough blistered powder coating. It's a great product but follow all of the regulations that they give you on using it and you'll get a great job if you have a question or comment. Write to me the address is Motor Week Owings Mills Maryland 2 1 1 1 7. John I'm here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland today with my good for a collector friend George Bunting.

The collection that we're looking at today is very eclectic. George what is the logic behind that. I mean the cars have been a car not since the first days of my memory. Anything with wheels I got excited and then I got older I started to collect cars which I thought were significant would be great fun to drive and beautiful to look at. I just sort of eased into it. First car was a 63 Lincoln and my wonderful spouse gave me a T-bird. And then there's a unusual Raleigh drop ped convertible in there which my neighbor had. And I remember running it back and it is 10 years old. Thought it was. A little teeny car and I bought it sight unseen in a British magazine when it came out of the crate. It's a big car by the bay standard. The Mercedes Gullwing is right up there was a fantastic car built right after those were to the Bentley. Same period. Totally different approach to motoring. Beautiful cruiser was supposed to go 120 miles an hour and it's 70 to 80 years.

This is. Very very. Exceptional. And I think they're beautiful pieces of moving sculpture that need to be used and be preserved and I'm having great fun with it. The 2004 International Auto Show Season is in full motion. Our first stop Frankfurt Germany revealed Europe's finest future offerings. Now let's go to the other side of the globe for a look at tomorrow's favorites from Tokyo. Technology and trends are two words that fit the bi annual 2003 Tokyo Motor Show to a T. This year's theme the challenge driving towards a better future was answered by over 40 world premieres researching Nissan celebrated its 70th anniversary with a host of concepts but none more fascinating than the JI coup. This retro esque roadster complete with hood long headlights and a 30 0 jump seat is more rolling art

exhibit than car and says This brand is ready to push styling to the limits. It is said that traditional Japanese art influenced the styling of the Nissan Serenity this multi-purpose crossover seat 6 and uses clam shill doors for ultimate access. Giving Nissan dealers a fun loving compact crossover vehicle is the name of the Ready go concept. Glass roof panels along the sides let the outsides in. While the Nissan C-note concept is a statement that small cars can be high rollers to more near-term might be this Nissan fuk up. Word is that this handsome rear drive concept will replace the over squared infinity in 45 sedan. No car company is more aligned with technology than Honda and at Tokyo it showed both its serious and sensual sides. The Honda Accord coop concept is another stab at making hybrids funda draw the super slick point to a drag coefficient and aluminum frame and carbon fiber

body for low weight and bicycle like handling. Honda may also be indicating a future for a hybrid power in minivans like this odyssey based concept behind it is not putting all its marbles on hybrids. The concept is their dream of a long low hydrogen fuel cell powered luxury sedan. However we're betting that this sleek concept Honda will be the aluminum and carbon fiber replacement for the exotic Acura NSX with a 300 horsepower V-6 it looks like a sure thing for driving excitement. Japan's largest automaker Toyota always has a commanding presence at the show. Highlights included the find in crossover concept powered by a six inch then hydrogen fuel cell stack with 25 kilowatt electric motors at each wheel. This concept is big on interior space aiming to beef up its share of the home market. Toyota will soon start selling Lexus cars in Japan. However this Lexus concept is more a test of a

sleeker styling direction for a future GSA sedan. But Toyota does not seem committed to any one design direction. Witness the conservative crown concept on one hand and the truly weird PM concept on the other short for personal mobility. This is more of an electric car that you wear rather than ride in. Small cars are a Mitsubishi for today. WITNESS There are three cylinder micro mini concept looking like a fighter jet without wings small car champion Suzuki unleashed this two seat s ride concept and this fuel truck shape to go with it. This is the land breeze mini SUV. While we all watch for takeoff from this is the mobile terrace based on GM highwire fuel cell concept. But we'd rather be flying down the road in this rather robust Mazda Buki concept. A possible route we take the next 5 Miata in a heartbeat. Subaru match sports car styling with both hybrid power train and all wheel drive. In this

benign scrambler Western Auto makers have an even more minimal presence at Tokyo than in past years. Benz provided the FIA hundred mine while a diesel electric hybrid research vehicle. Its wide face and smooth shape look production ready. For Chrysler's U.S. contribution was the jeep trail go through urban assault vehicle with electric motors it could be fuel cell or battery powered. And after all that you can't help but feel empowered about where technology and trends are taking the automobile in its second century as the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show. Let us all see clearly ahead of our time. You've often heard us proclaim that the vote's wagon is one of the finest midsize sedan to vailable. But if you can't foot the bill for a brand new push. What's stopping you from checking out a slightly more seasoned model. The post sought is currently the largest sedan boates wagon sells in America.

The present generation was introduced in 1998 and used models are available with a variety of power trains including turbo charged four cylinder V-6 and even turbo diesel. We like the facade so much that we selected it as our drivers choice best family car for 1999 and even today we recommend COSAT for buyers who want German sports sedan prowess and a sensible four door. The facade wagon especially with four motion all wheel drive is a superior alternative to bulky or sport utility vehicles and even with a powerful V-6 power train will return highway mileage in the high 20s. The driving public also seems to agree. Since VW sold over ninety six thousand facades here last year the most ever. That's impressive for a five year old design. So 1998 to 2002 is a perfect used car right.

Well maybe not perfect like any new car used should be checked out thoroughly. Pat Goss notes that VW recalled most 2001 in 2002 put sought to replace faulty ignition coils that could cause them to run rough and stall. Other recalls include replacing a rear wheel inner fender to prevent fuel leaks from a decenter grating tire. Then there is the coolant recovery tank level sensor that leaks on to wiring and can cause the gauge cluster to fail. Weird huh. So in short VW seems to be on top of most of the problems and dealers can tell you if the car you're interested in has been upgraded. Then you can start haggling over price. Expect to pay between $1500 and eleven thousand nine hundred dollars for an one thousand ninety eight percent sedan or wagon. A 2000 g a last V-6 sedan can be had for $15000. Pay up to eighteen thousand five hundred for AGL x 4 door V-6 with four motion two thousand V-6 wagons range from sixteen thousand dollars for front drive to

nineteen thousand five hundred with all wheel drawing. Two thousand to pursue are available from twenty one thousand to thirty thousand dollars or about 25 percent less than when new. That's good value when you consider that the facade represents the most sensible way to enjoy the rewards of a German autobahn cruiser. But like all high or strong cars it's not without its kinks. But we can think of no middleweight family sedan or wagon that's more enjoyable to drive than the Volkswagen. Even if it's just to the mall. The 1998 to 2002 box wagon put such great cars that are also good at not showing their age. There are few auto races with history excitement and challenges to match the 24 hours of Daytona and Daytona 24 hours by J.J. O'Malley. It's a book that any race fan will be proud to add to his or her library covering every race from 1962 to 2003. The book is a straightforward easy to read

history with hundreds of excellent photos highlighting many of the Florida endurance classics most memorable moments. A complete index of race results and drivers makes this a valuable reference tool as well. Chevrolet introduced the Malibu in 1964 as a variation of the Chevelle from 64 until 83. The Malibu provided stylish practical transportation for a very reasonable price. In 1998 Chevy revived the Malibu name for an all new if rather plain mid-sized sedan. Now for 2004 Chevy has completely revamped the Malibu as part of its new push to recapture car sales from the imports. Well the new Malibu is still practical more stylish and very solid. But will it sell. Versatility and value is what a successful family sedan is supposed to be all about. But for value designers of the 2004 Chevrolet

Malibu didn't skimp on the basics or the details with rivals like a cording camera. They couldn't afford to. Malibu is built on GM as new Epsilon platform the same one we raved about in the new Saab 9 3. Here the stiff Epsilon frame measures one hundred six point three inches and wheel base about an inch and a half shorter than that of a Honda Accord Malibu slab sided sheet metal is handsome if not very distinctive. But the front end chairs the bolder look of courage Chevy trucks an SUV enclose a spacious and well equipped interior with a super clean logical layout the interior trim and fabrics are first rate with fine grain low luster plastics. There would be at home in the best import brand rivals. We never said that about a Chevy before. As our safety features with the addition of an optional head curtain side airbags were both front and rear seats the front seats are wide firm with good back support but a little flat on the bottom. Power driver seat

height adjustment and a tilt telescoping steering wheel are standard seat heat is optional. While power adjustable gas and brake pedals are standard with ls and l t trim the front passenger seat gets a front loading seat back for loads up to eight feet long. Air vents are huge and easily push air to the rear seat. Air conditioning is standard with automatic climate control available. AM FM CD audio is also included. A 6 disc changer or XM satellite radio can be added. The new control layout looks fresh and works great. And note the tight even seems everywhere. And the rear there's plenty of head and leg room for adults and easy fold 60 40 split seat backs. The trunk measures fifteen point four cubic feet. One point for larger than a Honda Accord. Moreover it's tall wide deep with a low load lip and two side cargo nets. An interesting new feature is an optional remote starter. It allows cold weather

warm up from up to 200 feet away. The system has safeguards to keep the car running but park in the base Malibu. The engine that it starts is GM to point to leader dual overhead cam four cylinder. It expels 145 horsepower and 155 pound feet of torque. LS and healthy models are powered by a new 3.5 leader pushrod with 200 hour and 220 pound feet of torque. Both run their power through a four speed automatic transmission with a V-6 engine drive the Malibu hits 60 and 8 seconds flat. The quarter mile ends in sixteen point one second said eighty nine miles per hour. Power builds gradually from idle to about 5000 rpm. Noise Control is much improved. It's not overhead cam smooth but it's very impressive. Gear changes are as smooth as they get. Less smooth is the handling suspension is all independent with struts in the front and four links for side in the rear. Typical of its

class grip is more than adequate. The electric power assisted steering is low on feedback and front plow is heavy. This makes for an unexciting but very safe handling sedan. There was also enough body roll to set off the OnStar systems rollover warning resulting in our driver receiving a call from the On-Star operator in the middle of a slalom test. In our breaking test stuff from 60 average to long 141 feet. The pedal felt software noticeable fade ABS is standard on all but the basic car chassis stability is however quite good with every stop being straight and stable. More typical daily driving revealed a solid comfortable ride even over broken pavement and above average interior noise control. The EPA mileage figures for the new Malibu are twenty three city thirty two highway delivered up perfectly acceptable 24 mpg Malibu

prices started eighteen thousand nine hundred ninety five dollars for the nicely equipped four cylinder. That's midway between a comparably equipped accord and Camry move up to the last of the six. And the price is an extremely competitive twenty thousand nine hundred ninety five dollars. That's thousands less than its best rivals. The top line Ltd model holds on to my advantage at twenty three thousand four hundred ninety five dollars. And even more versatile Malibu Max five door hatchback version with skylights and movable rear seat bells later in the model year so the Chevy Malibu has come a long way since 1964 and against import branded midsize sedan. This new generation is extremely competitive in every way. Indeed this is the kind of family car Detroit should always make. Indeed we think the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu has the high value and versatility they can best be summed up in one word.

Soul. Well I hope you'll join us next week for more motorways. Well Tess Mitsubishi's mid-sized sedan and a Mercury Mod. minivan gracing us check out a sweet ride from America's favorite candy company. A bad boss explains how accident repair is going to affect your car's resale value. Plus we'll have another long term road test update and all the latest Motor News. I'm John Davis. We'll see you then. To learn more about Motor Week TV's original automotive magazine visit PBS online at PBS dot org. They order a video cassette of this program call 1 800 873 6 1 5 4. Motor Week has been brought to you by Apple I swear car people. We love cars we live cars we breathe cars. That's why we're such big motor week fancy cars after all they love cars too proud to support Motor Week on PBS. KOPPEL I swear car people and buy.

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